Kosta Barbarouses was on target as the Brisbane Roar put themselves on the brink of hosting the Australian A-League football grand final.
The former Wellington striker opened the scoring in the 2-0 away win over Central Coast in the major semi-final first leg at Bluetongue Stadium and Matt McKay then extended the premiers' unbeaten streak to 26 matches.
The Mariners now head into next Saturday's second leg at Suncorp Stadium facing a momentous task, having to beat the Roar by more than two goals at a venue where Brisbane have not lost a match since January 16, 2010.
The winner of the tie will host the grand final on March 12 while the loser must face off against either Adelaide, Gold Coast or Melbourne in the preliminary final a week earlier.
